((Danii)) please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing your two week follow up appointment was to discuss the findings of the pathology report and maybe a visual inspection of your cervix to see how you were healing? I think the others are confused as to how your doctor could know so quickly that some cells were missed. When the LEEP tissue is removed, it is sent to pathology for biopsy. The pathologist can tell by looking at the tissue if all the abnormal cells were removed. If the pathologist sees abnormal cells extending to the outer portions of the tissue, there is a strong possibility that some cells were left behind ("no clear margins"). On the other hand, if the pathologist sees healthy tissue all around the outside edges of the tissue then it is likely all the abnormal cells were removed (clear margins). It is like a bruised apple. When you slice the bruise off, if none is left you got clear margins. If there is still some of the bruise left on the apple, like maybe you didn't slice deep enough, that means you didn't get clear margins. The LEEP will "cauterize" the tissue as it cuts it away and this may be enough to cause the abnormal cells to regress instead of persist. Your immune system also plays a role in the persistance or recurrence of abnormal cells.

I have heard of women having two even three LEEP procedures. There is also the laser procedure, although your doctor might not opt for this procedure if the cells are in the endocervical canal. The cold knife cone (ckc) is similar to the LEEP in that it removes a piece of tissue that can then be biopsied. The ckc uses a scalpel instead of the wire loop. Unfortunately it really is a wait and see game to see if the cells are going to persist or regress. One question you might want to ask your doctor is what grade of cell changes were found at the margins (the pathology report should also tell you this). If they were CIN 1 (mild) or CIN 2 (moderate) this might give you a little more peace of mind than if they are CIN 3.

I cannot stress enough that you need to discuss this with your doctor. I know it is hard because sometimes they act like they don't give a flying fig about us and our feelings. But your doctor OWES it to you to sit down and give you some answers and/or reassurance on this. If you find it hard to ask your questions, write them down (leave room for the answers) and give a copy to the doctor at the beginning of your appointment. Keep a copy for yourself and go through them with her. If she still doesn't give you the answers you need, you may have to spend some time and energy finding a doctor who will. Don't let the unknowns eat you up inside, get as much knowledge as you can.

Sorry to make this so long, but I hope it helps you a little bit. I'll be thinking of you.

the 2 wk follow up was to see how i was healing after the leep..
no other procedure was performed at that time but in Nov. i am supposed to get another pap & that is when we'll see what happens from there.

i did contact the original dr. who did my orig. pap, colposcopy, etc.. (she's the one who suggested i have the leep done) & she also told me 'right now i suggest we just wait & see.' she did have a copy of the pathology report faxed to her from my primary care dr. who did the procedure..

at the time i had the colposcopy i was told i had 'severe' dysplasia.. they thought i was CIN II.. that's all... i have been reading up on all i can because i too agree that knowledge is power.. especially when my primary dr. was so eager to suggest that i can just opt for a hyster. & 'be done with all of it.' but then again a hyster. isn't a cure all either...

[QUOTE=Danii]the 2 wk follow up was to see how i was healing after the leep..
no other procedure was performed at that time but in Nov. i am supposed to get another pap & that is when we'll see what happens from there.

i did contact the original dr. who did my orig. pap, colposcopy, etc.. (she's the one who suggested i have the leep done) & she also told me 'right now i suggest we just wait & see.' she did have a copy of the pathology report faxed to her from my primary care dr. who did the procedure..

at the time i had the colposcopy i was told i had 'severe' dysplasia.. they thought i was CIN II.. that's all... i have been reading up on all i can because i too agree that knowledge is power.. especially when my primary dr. was so eager to suggest that i can just opt for a hyster. & 'be done with all of it.' but then again a hyster. isn't a cure all either...[/QUOTE]